Lake Ridge Elementary

What's New

Lake Ridge had exciting visitors today. A momma duck with her babies where spotted in the parking lot. They created quite the excitement. A pair of ducks had been visiting our feeder for a couple of weeks, and we suspected they were nesting somewhere on the school grounds.

On April 20, Mrs. Crawford fifth grade class went on a bird walk down Tio Lane to Deer Flat National Wildlife area around Lake Lowel. We met Susan Kain their along with Larry Ridehour and other birding experts. We walked along a path near the lake and spotted lots of red winged black birds, white crowned sparrows, American white pelicans, a red tailed hawk, and some brown headed cowbirds just to name a few. The class also saw a rabbit and several Pacific tree frogs which were fun to see even if they weren't birds.

The bird feeders haven't had as many birds as we had last winter, but we are getting a different variety. There are lots of red winged black birds and this week a few yellow headed black birds have been spotted. The gold finches are at the thistle feeder in greater numbers and their bright yellow feathers make them easier to spot. We think a pair of killdeer are nesting in the bark dust on the hill near the feeder and a pair of ducks have been spotted at the feeder and may have a nest somewhere on the school grounds.

The class is looking forward to our visit to the other side of Deer Flat National Wildlife refuge on May 18.

We were very disappointed today because our bird walk to Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge was canceled because of the weather. Hopefully we can find a time to reschedule.

The bird feeders haven't been as busy since spring break, but there are more gold finches visiting the feeders. They are always exciting to see because they are so yellow now. We have also begun to see male red winged black birds at the feeders. We wonder why no female red wings come to the feeder. A white crowned sparrow was found dead by the glass doors near our feeders. We haven't seen them at our feeders so we were surprised to find the dead one. It probably was injured when it flew into the windows in the door.

Our class also excited by the personal bird feeders we received before spring break. Now we can watch birds at home and school and share what we have learned with our families. Thank you for the feeder and bird seed.

Today Cory from the BLM brought Little Hawk to visit Lake Ridge. All the fifth grade and two second grade classes were able to see Little Hawk, learn about the characteristics of hawks, and ask Cory questions about birds of prey. Thank you, Cory, for bringing Little Hawk to visit our school.